I found a bottle of it that had gotten stashed away. I'm drinking it right now - the very last of the original batch and it's even better with age. The vanilla flavor gets a little lighter but it's still nice and creamy. I can't wait to try Batch 2.

I'm adding the Lactose in the last 15 minutes of the boil. I'll add the vanilla in the primary, because I don't want to risk losing any that bonds to the trub. So far, it smells fantastic but I'm still at the bittering hops boil. I think this should end up with a nice caramel flavor and a good hint (perhaps a suggestion size amount) of vanilla. I've had vanillas with way too much flavor and they tasted too much like candy. This should have a decent balance.

Notes: 11/4/05

So good. Can't even explain it - you simply must make this beer. I let it prime for almost 2 weeks before fridging it, then cracked one tonight after only about 30 hours. Great head, good lace, nice color, good body and nose. Pictures won't do it justice, but here's one anyways

Guys, as someone who is lactose intolerant, how badly is this recipe going to blow my ass out?

Guys, as someone who is lactose intolerant, how badly is this recipe going to blow my ass out?

I'd really like to try this beer, but the lactose worries me.

Kevin

Find another insoluble sugar that agrees with your stomach. Or you can try it without the extra sugar all together. As someone who is lactose tolerant, I can assure you that there will be considerable ass-blow. A few of these and I can blow the sheets off the bed.

I cut it down significantly on version 2.0 and haven't noticed a massive difference, but I haven't drank a proper bottle of it yet (just leftovers from bottling.)

Guys, as someone who is lactose intolerant, how badly is this recipe going to blow my ass out?

I'd really like to try this beer, but the lactose worries me.

Kevin

You could try using malto-dextrin instead of lactose...that will take care of the "creamy" part, but you'll need something else for the sweetness. You might try using Laaglander extract...that will finish sweeter than other brands.

Guys, as someone who is lactose intolerant, how badly is this recipe going to blow my ass out?

I'd really like to try this beer, but the lactose worries me.

Kevin

a comparison:

8oz of lactose in 5 gal (1.18%) or 0.2 oz per pint.
milk has 4.7 % app. (0.75 oz per pint aprox)
So drinking a Pint of this beer is like drinking about 5 oz of milk.

Don't know if this is too much for you, but the comparison may help.
what if you replace the lactose by maltodextrine plus a dash of some sweetener?
can even use only maltodextrine in the boil and bottling and sweeten in the glass